Dr. Stacy Al-Saleh, a 2022 PhD graduate from the College of Nursing, is making a significant impact at Mayo Clinic through her postdoctoral research on sleep health and cognitive functioning after heart transplantation. During her PhD studies, Dr. Al-Saleh focused on health disparities and illness self-management, complemented by a minor in data and systems science. She continues to build on that foundation today, contributing to innovative, evidence-based solutions that improve patient outcomes and promote health equity, an inspiring example of how Wildcat Nurses are advancing the future of care.

The College of Nursing integrates community service into its curriculum through the NURS 473 Population Health and Community Nursing course, where senior BSN students complete service-learning hours with local organizations like the American Red Cross and Pima County Health Department. By volunteering across Tucson, students gain hands-on experience, support vulnerable populations, and develop empathy and advocacy skills. These efforts not only strengthen community health but also prepare students to become compassionate, community-minded nurses.

BSN student Emma Stanek leverages her role as the ASUA senator for the College of Nursing to advocate for her peers and strengthen the student community. Guided by the same empathy and teamwork that define nursing, she focuses on fostering mentorship, connection, and collaboration both within the college and across disciplines. Her experiences in advocacy and leadership have shaped her into a confident, compassionate future nurse, ready to make an impact in every aspect of the profession.

The College of Nursing has appointed three leaders to permanent roles as specialty coordinators within its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Courtney Bartlett will lead the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program, Sarah Locke will oversee the Family Nurse Practitioner program, and Sara Edmund will direct the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. Their appointments mark a significant milestone in advancing the college’s mission to prepare skilled, compassionate, and practice-ready nurse practitioners.

Beth Meyerson, PhD, Director of the Harm Reduction Research Lab and Policy Director for the Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction, has been named senior editor of the Harm Reduction Journal, a leading international publication promoting research on strategies to reduce drug-related harm, stigma, and criminalization. In this esteemed role, Meyerson joins a distinguished group of global scholars shaping the journal’s vision and emphasizing evidence-based approaches to public health.

The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) remains open to College of Nursing PhD and DNP students, providing vital tuition support and offering up to 85% loan forgiveness after four years of teaching. For nearly 20 years, the program has supported 264 students in their journey to become nurse faculty, helping to address the nationwide shortage of nursing educators. Today, 25 students are enrolled, continuing a legacy that has placed alumni in classrooms and clinics across the country, ensuring more nurses can step into teaching roles and prepare the next generation of the workforce.

The University of Arizona College of Nursing’s BSN programs rank in the top 4% nationwide, placing 19th among public universities, 28th nationally, and first in Arizona according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Nursing Programs. With two BSN pathways, one in Tucson and one in Gilbert, the college boasts a 94% first-time NCLEX pass rate, the highest among Arizona’s public universities. Dean Brian Ahn credits this success to the dedication of faculty and staff who are committed to preparing practice-ready nurses and advancing nursing education.

The College of Nursing is leading a pioneering national study to enhance methadone treatment quality and help more people stay in care for opioid use disorder. Guided by Beth Meyerson, the project aims to reduce stress among clinic staff to improve patient outcomes. This research could greatly improve methadone treatment quality and patient retention.

Timian M. Godfrey, a member of the Navajo Nation and associate clinical professor at the College of Nursing, has received a grant from the American Cancer Society to tackle two of the most significant health challenges facing her community: type 2 diabetes and cancer. Her project will create a culturally rooted program that empowers Navajo adults and their caregivers to manage diabetes better and reduce cancer risk. By working hand-in-hand with community members and guided by Indigenous health concepts, this project aims to address critical health disparities and create lasting, sustainable change.

The University of Arizona is ranked No. 1 in Arizona and No. 2 among all colleges and universities in the Big 12 Conference in The Washington Monthly's inaugural Best Colleges for Research ranking. Nursing research plays a vital role in this achievement, fostering innovation and improving health outcomes.

Two College of Nursing DNP students, Melissa Rietz and Stephanie Gasser, have been selected for the prestigious 2025–2026 Graduate Nursing Student Academy Digital Innovators Program, one of only ten universities nationwide chosen. The program equips future nurse educators with advanced digital tools such as AI, augmented reality, and multimedia storytelling. Over eight months, Rietz and Gasser will develop innovative learning strategies to help pre-licensure nursing students build their professional identity and succeed in today’s evolving healthcare environment.

When Misty L. Pagán, DNP, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C, lost her grandmother due to preventable lapses in care at a rural hospital, her heartbreak changed her life’s direction. What started as grief quickly turned into a commitment to prevent others from experiencing similar losses. As a first-generation college student, she rose from being a certified nursing assistant to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and is now working toward a PhD in Nursing at the College of Nursing. Her focus is on protecting society’s most vulnerable groups, including older adults, underserved communities, and those often neglected in care and research.